Alabama Soil and Water Blog Spot

  So, what caused this failure next to a road culvert?  While many factors could have contributed to this, the mode of failure was “Soil Piping”  where internal water in the soil seeps out carrying soil particles with it.  Over time, this process results in a void or “soil pipe” from exit to entrance.  Prevention of this should include a graded filter outlet to stop the soil particles from being lost.   Perry L Oakes, PE Alabama’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Manager

  Don’t be guilty of using OLD technology. Use teepee staking and sod staples to install wattle check dams.   Perry L Oakes, PE Alabama’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Manager

  Sod staples are cheap insurance to ensure soil contact and prevent flotation of some E&SC practices.  Using more staples than specified never hurts.  ___________________________________________________________________________________   Dates for Clear Water Alabama 2026 are set for September 23-24, 2026, in the Tuscaloosa/Northport area.  Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more information.

  Many E&SC practices like a silt fence are to be placed mostly on a contour to pond water and allow coarse particles time to settle and be captured.  So, my question is “What do you call a silt fence that is NOT on the contour?”  The answer is “A Diversion”.  This runoff water funnels down the edge of the silt fence often washes out the backfill and results in undermining of the silt fence.   Perry L Oakes, PE Alabama’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Manager

I often hear the statement that “It’s flooding like I have NEVER seen it flood before”.  Sometimes it is easy to blame this on Climate Change , but it can be caused by land use changes.  For example, a watershed that changes from a Runoff Curve Number of 70 (a lot of woods and green space) to 95 (urbanized) can experience flooding more often. In this scenario, the runoff from a 2-year, 24-hour (50% chance of occurrence) event in the urbanized watershed can resemble the runoff from a 25-year, 24-hour (4% chance of occurring) event in the green watershed . So, it floods more frequently.  Something to think about!   Perry L Oakes, PE Alabama’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Manager

Are you part of the stormwater problem or part of the solution?  Sometimes it is very evident.   Perry L Oakes, PE Alabama’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Manager